Visit The Dalí Theatre and Museum in Spain, the world’s most bizarre collection of Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí is a surrealist artist renowned for his technical skills, precise craftsmanship, striking and bizarre images – created one of the most unique and breathtaking works of the century. Among the museums around the world that display his work, the Dalí Theatre and Museum or Teatro Museo Dalí, is one of the chicest of its kind because Dalí conceptualized the museum project himself and built it in his hometown of Figueres, Catalonia, Spain.

Dalí once said of this museum, “I want my museum to be a single block, a labyrinth, a great Surrealist object. It will be a totally theatrical museum. The people who come to see it will leave with the sensation of having had a theatrical dream.”

The Dalí Theatre and Museum was built in 1968 and was completed and opened to the public in 1974. The original building was the Figueres City Theatre. But the theatre was burned down during the Spanish Civil War. Dalí was deeply connected to this place because when he was 14, his father organized an exhibition of his work in the lobby of the theatre. After Dalí became famous all over the world, he returned to his hometown to create a museum that would showcase his identity as much as possible.

The stunning grandeur and impressiveness of this place starts from the exterior of the building, which is decorated like the walls of a royal palace in fairytales. The top section is decorated with giant eggs. Inside the museum, artworks from every period of Dalí’s life is on display – from his humble beginnings to when he achieved success and fame. Included are paintings, sculptures and a mechanical doll cabinet that moves when a coin is inserted. Each artwork is displayed without any defined framework.

The art installations start from the theatre’s decorated atrium; adorned with huge surreal paintings that are hung to look like the curtains of a performance stage. To the side is the Gala Nude Looking at the Sea Which at 18 Metres Appears the President Lincoln (1975), a deceptive painting which depicts a naked Gala (Dalí’s wife) showing her backside – but if viewed from a distance, shows the face of US President Abraham Lincoln. As for other highlights, there is the Mae West Lips Sofa, which mirrors the facial features of American actress and singer Mae West.

There are more than 1,500 artworks on display here. Anyone who likes the work of Salvador Dalí will be especially delighted to visit this museum. During the last five years (1985-1989) of his life, Dalí lived here. His body is buried in a crypt below the stage of this museum.

Dalí Jewels

After viewing the artworks in the Dalí Theatre and Museum, be sure to check out the dolly jewels, display of 39 pieces of Surrealist jewelry that Dalí designed, as well as their sketches. The entrance is separate from the main museum.

Location: Figueres is located approximately 140 kilometers from Barcelona. There are trains and buses available throughout the day.
Opening hours: 10.30-18.00 Tuesday till Sunday (closed on Mondays). It is recommended to reserve tickets in advance. See details at https://www.salvador-dali.org/

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